Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story.

Chapter One – Coming

By Darkness-Nightfall

The streetlights along Privet drive glowed dimly in the night. To the side of the lights, the perfectly manicured lawn of each individual house stood, almost box shaped, against the squarish houses.

Harry stood by the window, his brown eyes looking out at the deserted road, waiting for Hedwig to return from her hunting.

Footsteps were heard coming up the stairs, then slowed as they reached his room. The cat flap that Uncle Vernon had installed years ago served as a way for Harry to get his food, meaning, for the rest of the Dursley family, less time to spend sharing the same air as Harry.

He made his way over to the door and leaned down to pick up the plate of food. Sitting down on his bed under the blinking light in his almost- wardrobe like room, he ate, thinking of the school year that would be starting at Hogwarts in less then a week.

His sixth year would surely prove to be a difficult one. So much happening. His thoughts drifted back to Sirius, he was still grieving for his Godfather. Sighing, he finished his food and launched into a kind of trance of a sleep.

It was many hours before a noise outside his window awakened him from his sleep. Tiredly, and partly angry, he slowly arose off the bed to see Hedwig pecking at the window- he had obviously forgotten to open it for her return. He rushed over to the window, opening it with ease and Hedwig zoomed in as soon as he did so, carrying a few mice in her book. She fluffed her snow white feathers and pecked Harry, obviously not happy that he had left her waiting outside.

While leaning over to the shut the window, Harry noticed that the street lights where going out one by one. His spine tingled and he shivered excitedly. Only one person he knew had a Put- Outer and that was Dumbledore.

'Dumbledore has come to get me early this year' he thought to himself, and readied himself by quickly packing. He lugged his case onto the bed and waited for Dumbledore.

'What's taking him so long?' Wondered Harry, beginning to feel confused. He crept back to the door of his small room and listened. There were no lights on and his relative seemed to be sleeping- he could hear Dudley snoring from the next room over.

Opening the door, he quietly crept downstairs, inching along the wall as though in army combat, his wand tucked in the back pocket of his jeans. With a smile, he remembered what Moody had said to him at the beginning of last year- that many a wizard had lost a buttock by putting their wands there. He stifled a laugh at this and continued moving downstairs.

He was near the kitchen now, feeling along the wall to find out where he was. Dumbledore really was late if he was coming to get him.

'But why would he come and get me without sending a letter first?' queried Harry. Pushing this thought out of his mind, he swept down the hallway, covering it in a few paces, his long legs and thin frame gliding easily along.

Twisting the doorknob he opened the front door, expecting to see a wizard waiting on the doorstep, twisting his long white beard in his fingers and his blue eyes glinting mischievously at Harry.

Instead, he saw... Nothing. Nothing whatsoever. Only an empty street. Harry began to wonder weather he had only thought up the Put-Outer, because he had wanted to get out of this hellhole as soon as possible. With a sigh, he slumped down onto the welcome mat, contemplating things.

Behind him, a spidery hand had placed itself on his shoulder. Harry was curious to know who it was- Dumbledore's hands were always warm and so full of joy, Uncle Vernon's were fat and chubby, while Aunt Petunia's where thin and bony. No, Harry decided, this hand was different.

He turned around to see who it was. His stomach churned as he looked into the fiery red slits that somehow resembled eyes on the pale, snake-like skin of the man standing behind him.

"Hello Harry, We have lots of catching up to do." It was all Harry could do to stop from gouging the man's eyes out.

A/N: Short, yes I know. But I ran out of stuff! If I get 5 reviews I'll post my story by Friday. Yes, only five. Please!